Even though most people are eager to get their boats into the water on Memorial Day weekend, the Fourth of July can be the busiest time of the year for area harbormasters.

With fireworks in cities and towns, including Plymouth, Quincy and Weymouth, on the Fourth, local harbormasters have to be ready for anything that may come his or her way.

“The third (of July) is busy, and the Fourth is also busy. A lot of people want to go out on their boats to watch fireworks,” Mark Patterson, Scituate’s harbormaster, said. “People really like watching fireworks from the water.”

Patterson said there is always the possibility for increased problems.

“There’s a lot of increased activity, so with that obviously comes the potential for increased instances of things going wrong,” he said.

Hingham Harbormaster Kenneth Corson said the Fourth is “definitely” a busier holiday.

“More people have their boats out already, so it’s typically the busiest time of the year for harbormasters,” he said. “The weather is nice, so people are anxious to get in their boats and watch the fireworks.”

Corson also said there’s the potential for increased problems.

“Someone’s engine might overheat, and they think their boat is on fire,” he said.

He also said people can run into problems when they hit rocks in a shallow area.

With Hurricane Arthur on its way, though, harbormasters could have a quiet Fourth this year.

“The weather could obviously throw a wrench into it this year,” Corson said.